Columbus Academy Roundup

Injury again derails Jones at state tourney

Enlarge ImageBuy This PhotoJOHN HULKENBERG/THISWEEKSPORTS Dan Jones of Columbus Academy tangles with Seth Bloor of Wellsville during a first-round match at 220 pounds during the Division III state tournament Feb. 27 at Ohio State. Jones lost by default because of a recurring shoulder injury.

For the second consecutive season, a shoulder injury cut short Columbus Academy wrestler Dan Jones' participation in the Division III state tournament, which was held Feb. 27-March 1 at Ohio State.

A recurring injury to his left shoulder forced him to lose by default against Wellsville's Seth Bloor in the first round at 220 pounds -- the match was scoreless in the first period -- and then he lost by default to Reading's Mike McKinney in his first consolation match.

Jones, a junior, finished the season 28-1, not including injury defaults.

Last season, Jones qualified for state at 195, but lost his first-round match by default after injuring his right shoulder in the second period against Carlisle's Marcus Smith. He then lost by default to Archbold's Travis Jaramillo.

"The shoulders have been a struggle for the past several years," coach Paul Bukky said. "He is a great kid and is willing to work hard when pushed like many kids. He has had a great run this season in spite of the constant specter of re-injury."

Jones did not score for Academy at state. Delta (141) won the state title as 94 teams scored.

Boys basketball team loses at Ready

The boys basketball team's late-season surge ended in a 49-45 loss at second-seeded Ready in the second round of the Division III district tournament Feb. 26.

The 13th-seeded Vikings had won eight consecutive games before falling to the Silver Knights. They finished 11-13.

Academy trailed 22-15 at halftime, but cut the deficit to 31-29 after three quarters. Ryan Alexander and Lee Solomon each scored 10 points for the Vikings.

"That run was one of the coolest things I've been a part of in coaching," coach Jeff Warstler said of the winning streak. "The kids busted their tails and really deserved this. The game was a great defensive ballgame and I thought (the Knights) made a couple plays down the stretch. Our kids fought all the way to the end, but Ready just won it at the end."

Ready was 17-5 before playing sixth-seeded Centerburg in a district semifinal March 4.